Baseball's most significant free agents

May 16, 2014

G. Paul Burnett/Associated Press

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Cleveland Indians: Wayne Garland
(November 1976)

Garland was coming off a 20-win season in Baltimore when the Indians signed him to a 10-year, $2.3 million deal — a move that quickly became a cautionary tale on the risks of long-term contracts. Amid shoulder problems, Garland went 13-19 in his first season with Cleveland and never amounted to much with the Indians. He was released after the 1981 season, having won only 28 games in his entire tenure with Cleveland. Nowadays, the idea of a 10-year contract for any pitcher seems almost preposterous.

G. Paul Burnett/Associated Press

1of31

Cleveland Indians: Wayne Garland
(November 1976)

Garland was coming off a 20-win season in Baltimore when the Indians signed him to a 10-year, $2.3 million deal — a move that quickly became a cautionary tale on the risks of long-term contracts. Amid shoulder problems, Garland went 13-19 in his first season with Cleveland and never amounted to much with the Indians. He was released after the 1981 season, having won only 28 games in his entire tenure with Cleveland. Nowadays, the idea of a 10-year contract for any pitcher seems almost preposterous.